Pupil-Voice (ID 1045)

• Art and Design
  Art and Design

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Art & Design

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from EYFS - Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject. We worked with mixed groups of children so that we get opinions and ideas from throughout the school.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their art lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  ‘It is a fun thing to do at school and home.’

  ‘You can do what you want, like pictures of animals.

  ‘ It keeps us calm and it’s a good form of mindfulness’

  ‘ I like doing art because I like painting and colouring’

  ‘ I like doing printing’

  I like doing it at school’

  ‘ If you are stressed it can make you wind down, I think it’s relaxing.’

  What would you like to do more of in Art and Design?

  ‘ I would like to do more sketching and shading. Maybe motion and action drawings’

  ‘I would like to do more Robin pictures and painting’

  ‘I would like to do more experimenting with textures. I would also like to do more re-creating famous paintings in the style of famous artist.’

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Art & Design?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with art and design.

• Computing
  Computing

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Computing

  We value our pupil’s voice at New Waltham Academy and have now held our Pupil Voice afternoon. As Computing leader, I had a group of children formed from Early Years to Year 6 for the children to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their computing lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  Thoughts on Computing:

  ‘Computing lessons are fun and interesting!’

  ‘I love coming to the suite and using the equipment.’

  ‘I like learning new words and what they mean.’

  ‘I am proud of logging on and logging off.’

  ‘I am beginning to type with two hands.’ ‘I am proud to be good at typing.’

  ‘I know how to keep myself safe online.’

  ‘I’m proud of being able to control my mouse and use the touchpad.’

  ‘The topics are different so we learn lots of different things, my favourite is Scratch.’

  ‘I feel safe.’

  ‘I like using different apps.’

  Things the children would like more of:

  More time in the Computing Suite

  Group work

  More time on laptops and iPads

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Computing?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with computing.

• Design & Technology
  Design & Technology

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Design Technology

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from EYFS - Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject. We worked with mixed groups of children so that we get opinions and ideas from throughout the school.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their design and technology lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  What have you enjoyed making in DT?

  EYFS – have made models from boxes and tubes sticking them together with sticky tape.

  Year 1 – Designing a teapot, designing and making a vehicle for Beegu

  Year 2 – Designing and making a vehicle for Beegu

  Year 3 – Designing and making a toy based on the type played with long ago.

  Year 4 – Designing and making Wooden toys including wooden mazes, wacky racing cars, pull long toys

  Year 5 – Designing a coat based on Joseph and the technicoloured dream coat, using colourful fabric to show the design.

  Year 6 – Designing and Making catapults using spoons, rubber bands and wood

  Enjoyed the building bridge challenge using just art straws and testing the result for strength.

  What do you like about DT most of all?

  Many children said they enjoyed the designing as well as the making, but most said they enjoyed the making bit best.

  Some children like the decorating the finished design because I can use my imagination and make it colourful.

  Some said they like how you can embrace your creativity.

  Some the process of taking an idea and designing then making it.

  We learn new skills like drilling, hammering, gluing, carving, cutting, sanding down, colouring, painting.

  Year 6 said they like how they work on designs and look at ways to improve them and make them more successful.

  What have you learned?

  They learned the processes: designing, building, decorating and evaluating.

  We have to be adaptable and patient when making because it doesn’t always go according to plan.

  What would you like to do more of in DT?

  In Year 2, would like more time to free choose his designing build not always following a given project.

  Designing and making more food based projects.

  Designing new products for sale in shops, which could be packaging products completely new ideas or following a given brief.

  Older children would like to use ICT more in their designing process.

  First, we discussed the question 'What is DT?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with DT.

• Geography
  Geography

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Geography

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from Year 1-Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject.

  Geography lead, I had a group of children age ranging from year 1 to Year 6 to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself on their geography learning.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their geography lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  What do the children think about Geography?

  ‘I like learning about different countries.’

  I learnt about what human geography and physical geography are.’

  ‘It makes me feel really warm inside to know about how other cultures live – I like that we are all different.’

  I really enjoy comparing the UK with other countries - it surprising what is similar and different.’

  ‘I’ve enjoyed learning about map symbols so I can read maps.’

  ‘My favourite topic in Geography has been about Greece – I loved completing a thematic map comparing the climate of the UK and Greece.’

  ‘It’s good to know about climate and how the way we live is affecting it in different countries.’

  ‘I loved finding out about different biomes around the world and why certain animals live where they do.’

  I asked the children what would children like to learn more of in geography and how they would like to do it?

  To be able to pick a country of our choice and really study it in depth.

  I wish we could do more on countries like New Zealand – countries we don’t normally study.

  I’d like to know more about Italy, Hungary and India.

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Geography?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with geography.

• HE
  HE

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Health Education

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from Year 1-Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject.

  As Health Education lead I had a group of children age ranging from Early Years to Year 6 to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their health education lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  We celebrated all things Health Education in with sharing some work we have enjoyed; and thought about the question

  What do we think about Health Education as a subject?

  Our thoughts (quotes from the children):

  ‘I think HE is important because it tells you what is good and not so good for you’

  ‘It teaches us about our bodies and our feelings.’

  ‘It helps you lead to success in life, and how to be a good person.’

  ‘I think it is important because it help you learn about what is right and wrong.’

  ‘I think HE is fun and good’

  ‘It helps me be a good friend’

  ‘It helps me to be happy and helps my emotions’

  I asked the children what they would maybe like to learn or do more about in Health Education.

  Things the children would like more of:

  More about body parts

  More artwork ways to show learning

  Keep helping me learn how to be a good person

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Health Education?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with Health Education.

• History
  History

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  History

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from Year 1-Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject.

  As History lead, I had a group of children age ranging from Early Years to Year 6 to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself on their history learning.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their history lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  What do the children think about History?

  ‘I love learning about the past.’

  ‘I always want to know more and will do more research at home’

  ‘I really enjoyed learning about toys from the past – we had someone come in to tell us all about it!’

  ‘My favourite topic in history has been about battles – I learnt lots of things about the Battle of Hastings and the Battle of Trafalgar. I hadn’t heard of them before!’

  ‘It’s good to know about the past so we know why we live how we do now.’

  ‘I love finding out about people in history - like Florence Nightingale.’

  ‘We’ve been learning about the Suffragettes – they were so brave!’

  ‘I can’t believe how some people were treated in the past.’

  I asked the children what would children like to learn more of in history and how they would like to do it?

  World War 1 and World War 2

  After reading Anne Frank – the Holocaust

  The Tudors – Henry the VIII and his wives.

  The Titanic

  Dinosaurs

  First, we discussed the question 'What is History?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with history.

• Literacy
  Literacy

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Literacy

  We value our pupil’s voice at New Waltham Academy and have now held our first Pupil Voice afternoon. As Literacy leader, I had a group of children from years EYFS to Year 6. The time together provided the opportunity for children to share their thoughts and feelings regarding reading and writing with each other, as well as myself.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their literacy lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  What do you think of reading? Below is a summary of comments made.

  • Helps your imagination
  • Helps you learn new things
  • Calming, relaxing, you feel free
  • Takes you to new worlds
  • Books paint stories
  • Makes me happy
  • Reading is wonderful

  What do you think of writing? Below is a summary of comments made.

  • Fun
  • Like reading other children’s work
  • Peer assessment useful
  • Like learning new vocabulary and writing descriptions

  Which learning are you most proud of? (Below are quotes from children themselves. They brought their books to the discussion and shared their learning.)

  • “Insect report – I used good vocabulary”
  • “Report – because I wrote lots and tried my best”
  • “Greek diary – because I used good punctuation and laid it out nicely”
  • “Letter writing in EYFS because I wrote my letter by myself”
  • Pandora writing because my writing was neat and descriptive
  • “Three Kings – because it was neat”
  • “Report – because I wrote more than normal and designed my own creature so I had more ideas”
  • “My diary because I used good language”

  What knowledge have you gained over this year? Below is a summary of the discussion.

  • Commas, past tense, expanded noun phrases, brackets, fronted adverbials, colons, plural possession
  • Learnt about Suffragettes, Alma, poetry
  • The use of non-negotiables
  • Learning new vocabulary
  • Neat handwriting
  • How to write an introduction and glossary
  • How to answer comprehension questions

  Things I would like more of. Below is a summary of the children’s thoughts.

  • Help with spellings
  • Space – tables get crowded

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Literacy?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with literacy.

• Maths
  Maths

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Maths

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from EYFS - Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject. We worked with mixed groups of children so that we get opinions and ideas from throughout the school.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their maths lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  What is maths?

  Counting, number bonds, times tables, arithmetic questions, word problems, working out problems in your head, four operations, helping each other to answer questions.

  Feedback

  Children as a whole said they enjoy maths and find it fun. Early years said they like the 5s frame and like going on numbots. KS1 said they enjoy counting using the cubes, they like the part-part whole method and adding.

  KS2 the majority said they enjoy TTrockstars because they like going on jamming, it helps them learn their times tables and they can earn coins to buy outfits for their rockstar.

  Times tables - a lot said they thought certain tables were tricky to learn and found it hard. Measurements was a key area that children said they didn’t like – they said it was hard.

  When asked to share their favourite piece of work, KS1 often chose work that involved using practical equipment like money, dice, number lines.

  KS1 said that they likes part-part whole method because it helps they understand numbers.

  KS1 said that they liked counting with the cubes piece of work as they got to do this with a partner.

  KS2 said they enjoy doing the worksheets in their books and like doing challenges.

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Maths?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with maths.

• MFL
  MFL

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Languages

  We value our pupil’s voice at New Waltham Academy and have now held our first Pupil Voice afternoon. As Languages leader, I had a group of children formed from years 2 – 6 for the children to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their languages lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  Thoughts on Languages (Spanish):

  ‘Spanish lessons are fun!’

  ‘Spanish is challenging but it’s a really good feeling when I start to understand. I feel proud.’

  ‘Our special events, like the Day of the Kings, are fun.’

  ‘I love tasting foods from other countries.’

  ‘It’s interesting to learn a new language.’

  ‘The parade was fun!’

  ‘Learning a new language is exciting’

  Things the children would like more of:

  Food tasting

  Role play!

  Music and Games

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Spanish?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with speaking Spanish.

• Music
  Music

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Music

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from EYFS - Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject. We worked with mixed groups of children so that we get opinions and ideas from throughout the school.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their music lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  What do you think about Music lessons?

  • ‘There’s a huge variety of songs, sounds and styles’

  • ‘Learning to play the drums was exciting’

  • ‘It lets me be creative’

  • ‘I get lost in the music we listen to’

  • ‘I like learning about different artists’

  • ‘Music lessons are fun’

  What have you learnt in Music?

  ‘That Tempo means how fast or slow the music is’

  ‘I learnt about the beginning, end and the chorus’

  ‘How to play the Glockenspiel’

  ‘We’ve learnt about The Beatles’

  ‘We learnt about dynamics, introductions and riffs’

  What can you share that you are most proud of?

  • ‘Playing instruments when my parents came in’

  • ‘I’m proud of using Makaton when I sing’

  • ‘That I respect other people’s talents’

  • ‘Sharing my voice so people know I can sing’

  • ‘Performing at Young Voices’

  What would you like to do more of in Music?

  ‘I would like to learn other instruments like guitar, piano and violin’

  ‘I want to learn songs from Matilda’

  ‘I would like to make up my own songs’

  ‘I want to go to Young Voices again’

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Music?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with music.

• PE
  PE

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  PE

  We value our pupil’s voice at New Waltham Academy and have now held our first Pupil Voice afternoon. As PE leaders, we had a group of children formed from Years EYFS – 6 for the children to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as us.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their PE lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  Thoughts on PE:

  ‘PE is Fun, Fantastic and Amazing!’

  ‘PE is fun and makes me feel happy.’

  ‘I like PE because you can get fresh air and play games.’

  ‘I enjoy doing PE because there is a wide variety of things to do.’

  ‘It makes me fit and healthy.’

  ‘It allows us to exercise!’

  ‘PE is awesome fun!’

  Things the children would like more of:

  Body Weight Workouts

  Football

  Gymnastics

  Competitions

  First, we discussed the question 'What is PE?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with PE.

• RE
  RE

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  RE

  We value our pupil’s voice at New Waltham Academy and have now held our first Pupil Voice afternoon. As RE lead, I had a group of children formed from Early Years to Year 6 for the children to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their religious education lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  Thoughts on RE):

  ‘I like learning about other religions.’

  ‘Like learning about God.’

  ‘Tricky’

  ‘Like learning about different celebrations’

  ‘Interesting’

  ‘It’s hard’

  Things the children would like more of:

  ‘I want to learn more about Jesus’

  ‘Different types of prayer’

  ‘More about Christians and Christmas’

  Christmas

  Crafts - such as making Christingles, advent wreaths

  Visits – to a place of worship

  First, we discussed the question 'What is RE?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with RE.

• Science
  Science

  New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

  Science

  We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from EYFS - Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject. We worked with mixed groups of children so that we get opinions and ideas from throughout the school.

  February 2024

  In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their science lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

  February 2023

  Children at New Waltham Academy identify science as a subject that is fun, practical and interesting. They made reference to carrying out experiments that allow them the freedom to predict and test out ideas. Their favourite example includes experiments that were messy, unpredictable and that sense of ‘awe and wonder’. There was a transfer of learning between home and school; children spoke about scientific investigations carried out at school which they had then re-performed at home.

  The children understood the vast subject nature and coverage of science. They enjoy learning about its many different facets such as – animals, mini-beats, physics, chemical reactions and space. The children also spoke about other STEM projects in wider school life such as our eco-club, the Planet Protectors. Older children understood how scientific knowledge and learning is the foundation for many different careers.

  A common theme in children’s discussion was the importance of discovering new things through exploration – both through practical, messy, hands-on activities but also through outdoor learning. Younger children enjoyed sharing their learning about nature walks and how to melt ice. Children felt that science gives them a space to be inquisitive and ask different questions.

  First, we discussed the question 'What is Science?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with science.